HOLY SMOKES, WE'RE FUNDED! (Thank you so much, backers!) But you can still help us take it to the next level!

For a few hundred more dollars, we'll be better equipped to go the extra mile- like getting extra thick rubber to reinforce the bottom of the pool, making more objects to really fill out the space for a higher impact, better advertise the event to increase attendance, and hire an extra hand to help churn out these plaster cast percolators. Plus, the gifts are still cool, we hope :)

What is Despierta?

Fontaine Capel's honors thesis exhibition, Despierta, is an immersive & intimate artistic installation, which will be built in Oberlin College's Fisher Gallery and open on April 20. Awakening the participant's sense of childhood wonder, and revealing the vivacity and detail of its surreal topography, Despierta will allow visitors to wade barefoot through through a painstakingly-crafted, engaging, beautiful, and enigmatic environment. The installation features a vibrant, dynamically illuminated milky pool out of which geographic formations of hundreds of plaster sculptures—cast in the form of aluminum stovetop coffeemakers—appear to self-construct and decompose simultaneously. We aim to create an intriguing topographical paradox that reflects the collaboration between two friends who are at a crossroads in their lives and have the passion and will to create & share something (perhaps only the feeling of something) we think is incredible.

We need a lot of support (in sentiment, cash, and credit) to realize this project. There simply aren't the institutional funds available to achieve our vision—this is why your support is absolutely invaluable.

Where did this idea come from?

As we were driving across the country—contemplating what we've experienced, and what we've yet to explore and understand—we started talking about Fontaine's final thesis exhibition. Each time we were overcome with a sense of ambition, fear, and/or perceived reality, we plunged into the realms of an imagination constructed from the feeling of novel curiosity and wonder.

Using that imagination as a catalyst and our respective talents as the fuel, we began collaboratively designing an installation.

After an extensive process with numerous iterations, we eventually settled on a piece that we felt truly captured the spirit of our collaboration, was true to our shared vision, and expressed the synergy of our talents.

Fontaine’s recent work seeks to stimulate both the intellect & imagination of her viewers, demand intimacy and honesty, promote freedom of curiosity. Her pieces are process-based resulting from hours of meditative repetition, and strive to explore artistic and personal identity.

The object at the heart of Despierta is a “cafetera”, known in the U.S. as a stovetop percolator. Originally a post-war Italian import, the cafetera became ubiquitous in Latin America, but especially significant to Cuban identity & culture, where the ritual of preparing “cafecitos” occurs several times a day. A product of industrialism, colonialism, globalization and a utilitarian object of domesticity and femininity, the cafetera speaks to Cuban identity and the dichotomy between childhood and adulthood reflecting, in this context, Fontaine’s personal familial history. In this installation, the cafetera appears stripped of content, context and utility, & multiplied—it is simultaneously decomposed and reassembled into organic, geographic/topographical formations intimating a fluidity of identity, wonder, and exploration.

A 2D of the space with the percolators. (Note: that the mounds will be entirely constructed out of the plaster model percolators so those formations you see that look like mounds will simply be mounds of plaster cast percolators)

How will you use the funds?

To buy materials!

The crux of the installation and the source of its impact lies in the sheer number of objects we plan to make—Fontaine is shooting for one thousand—and that takes a LOT of plaster, mold-making rubber, gloves, dust masks, stir-ers, &ct...to make it happen.

And...

Building a pool that is roughly 840 square feet and totally water tight, requires, as you can imagine, just the right materials and a sufficient quantity of them. David is going to need two sheets of a large waterproof tarp, lots of 2x4 (and 4x4), plywood, tools, screws, angle brackets, and minerals (to make that pretty, non-separating white matter make water milky for a long period of time). 

(rest assured we have specific quantities of these materials. Let us know if you would like an itemized budget, we'd be more than happy to send you a copy.)

How do you plan to pull it off?

We've been in extensive planning for almost a month and a half now. We've coordinated build schedules, confirmed professional technicians and designers to help set-up the space, and have set aside the time necessary to build and assemble everything. David's got a knack for producing and building plus we're fortunate enough to have the help of Read Tuddenham (A Swag Stage Designer, Production Manager, and Technician), Daniel Dudley (A Guru for Lighting and Sound, and a Brilliant Designer and Technician), Hayden Gilbert (just so damn good - check out his resume), Erin Joenk (God's gift to humanity for brilliant creativity and total execution), Aaron Profumo (a boss producer, and lighting and stage designer and producer), and Hillary Rieger (a Production manager, and creative miracle). 

What will I receive in return for my support?

From sculptures:

(here's an early prototype)

...to one-of-a-kind Impossible Project instant analog photographs of the opening:

(like these. Look, there's David & the topography of the American West!)

...and other mementos from the space:

...to original art works:

(graphite & charcoal on paper, 2012)

Can I watch your progress while you risk life, limb & your diploma to realize your vision?

Sure thing. We'll be posting updates here.

Might I see a cute picture from your aforementioned project-inspiring road trip?

Certainly.

We're brainstorming.